Comptroller Peter Franchot on Wednesday called the site dysfunctional and draining for taxpayers. Franchot also scolded state health officials for opting out of the state's normal contracting rules.

The exchange uses its own process to pick contractors.

"When you stand up in public in front of a TV camera and have to justify your contract request, that's such a better process than having it done quietly in the back rooms," Franchot said.

The state has also awarded a $2 million emergency contract to a private company to help Medicaid patients. The exchange website was supposed to handle that work but continues to struggle with technical problems.